Abstract: An all-composite article comprising two composite parts pivotally joined by a composite hinge which is fabricated integrally therewith. The method of making such an all-composite article.

Abstract: A high pressure vessel (19), having a curved end piece (22) and an access plug (20) threaded into a recessed hole (26) in the end piece and sealed therein by a weld (46) disposed around the periphery of the plug, is provided with an annular lip (28) around the access hole. The flask lip has a sloped surface (34) that cooperates with the lip (38) of a cap (36) that is clamped to the vessel so that the clamping force on the cap is directed by the sloped surface through the weld to precompress the weld, thereby relieving the tensile stresses on the weld which result from pressure inside the vessel acting inside the hemispherical end piece of the vessel.

Abstract: A missile nose cone removable protective cover having a rigid outer shell of cross-linked polyethylene with a semirigid backing of polyurethane foam. A shaped linear charge is positioned in a serpentine pattern between the rigid outer shell and the foam backing. The shaped linear charge is detonated by means of a detonator in an epoxy junction box in the forward end of the nose cover.